miles, arrived at the Rapids, a deer at full speed passed us; I
fired, and it fell; the next instant a wolf, in full pursuit,
made his appearance; on seeing the party, he halted for an
instant, and then rushed forward as if to attack us. Mr. ----
however, anticipated him; for taking a steady aim, at the same
time sitting coolly on an old tree, he passed a bullet through
the fellow's head, who was soon stretched a corpse on the snow;
a few minutes after another appeared, when several firing
together he also fell, roaring and howling for a long time,
when one of the men went and knocked him on the head with a
hatchet.

And now, ye effeminate feather bed loungers, where do you
suppose we were to sleep? There was no comfortable hotel to
receive us; not even a house where a board informs the
benighted traveller that there is "entertainment for man and
horse;" not even the skeleton of a wigwam; the snow eight feet
deep,--the thermometer nineteen degrees below the freezing
point. Every one having disencumbered himself of his load,
proceeded with his hatchet to cut down the small fir and birch
trees. The thick part of the trees was cut in lengths, and
heaped up in two piles; between which a sort of wigwam was
formed of the branches: a number of small twigs of trees, to
the depth of about three feet, were laid on the snow for a bed;
and having lighted the pile of wood on each side, some
prepared venison steaks for supper, while others skinned the
two wolves, in order, with the dear skin, to form a covering to
the wigwam; this some opposed, as being a luxury we should not
every day obtain. Supper being ready, we ate heartily, and
having melted some snow for water, we made some hot toddy, that
is, rum, butter, hot water and sugar; a song was proposed, and
acceeded to: and thus, in the midst of a dreary desert, far
from the voice of our fellow men, we sat cheerful and
contented, looking forward for the morrow, without dread,
anxious to renew our toils and resume our labours. Alter about
an hour thus spent the watch was appointed, and each wrapped in
his blanket. We vied unconvincing each other, with the nasal
organ, which was in the soundest sleep; mine was the last
watch, about an hour before daybreak. The Aurora Borealis
rolled in awful